Jennifer Kale is a new character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) who appears in the series Agatha All Along. Played by Sasheer Zamata, she is part of a larger story that introduces lesser-known characters from Marvel Comics.
While Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of Agatha Harkness has made her a familiar face to MCU fans, Jennifer is an exciting addition. Her character brings depth and connections to various elements within the Marvel Universe, especially through her background and relationships with other characters.
Who Is Marvel’s Jennifer Kale?
Jennifer, often called “Jen,” is introduced in the second episode of Agatha All Along, titled “Circle Sewn with Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate.” The episode paints a picture of Jen as a skilled witch, particularly talented in potion-making. She has a complicated and sometimes tense relationship with Agatha Harkness.
When Agatha approaches Jen about joining her new coven, she reveals that Jen has been under a “binding spell” for around a hundred years. This spell limits Jen’s ability to use her magical powers.
In addition to her magical challenges, Jen faces significant legal troubles related to a health and beauty store she runs. These challenges add layers to her character, showing that she is not just a witch but a person dealing with real-world issues.
Initially, Jen refuses Agatha’s offer to join the coven, but after some thought, she accepts, likely hoping to regain her powers, similar to Agatha’s own journey.
The comic book version of Jennifer Kale was created by Steve Gerber and Rich Buckler. She first appeared in Adventure into Fear #11 in 1972. In her initial stories, she was a supporting character involved with Ted Sallis, known as Man-Thing.
Over time, she became a significant figure in Marvel’s horror and magic-focused comics. She has worked alongside various superheroes, including the mutant team X-Force.
The Kale family is an influential dynasty of magic users within the Marvel Universe. Many family members, including Jen’s father, Joshua, belong to a group known as the Cult of Zhered-Na.
This cult was founded by a sorceress from Atlantis, who was exiled for predicting the continent’s sinking. As a teenager, Jennifer began experimenting with witchcraft using one of her father’s spell books.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
Her connections to notable characters deepen when it is revealed that Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch, both of whom become the Ghost Rider, are her cousins.
Jen Could Connect Various Parts of the MCU
Jennifer’s connections to other characters and storylines in the MCU enhance her role in Agatha All Along. Many characters associated with Jen have appeared in the MCU in different forms. For instance, Man-Thing was hinted at in several projects and made a more substantial appearance in the 2022 special Werewolf by Night.
In that special, he was portrayed by Carey Jones and Jeffrey Ford. This connection to Man-Thing establishes a rich background for Jen and ties her to the supernatural aspects of the MCU.
The 2022 film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced a new version of Atlantis, called Talokan, and its leader, the anti-hero Namor. This introduction adds another layer to the world Jennifer inhabits.
While the Talokan story diverges from the comic book version of Atlantis, it still ties into the greater narrative of the MCU, which has been expanding its boundaries with different cultural representations.
The Ghost Rider mythos was shown in the fourth season of the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Although the Ghost Rider featured in that series was Robbie Reyes, there are allusions to Johnny Blaze, suggesting that there are deeper connections within the Ghost Rider legacy.
The series established that Robbie received his powers from another, unnamed Ghost Rider, hinting at a link to Blaze, who is connected to Jennifer Kale.
While Talokan has its own unique story, it seems less likely that the Cult of Zhered-Na and any ties Jen has to it will be introduced soon.
However, both Werewolf by Night and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have developed a loyal fan base, many of whom hope to see references to these projects in future MCU films and shows. The existing relationship between Man-Thing and Jen in the comics indicates that Agatha All Along might show this connection further.
If Agatha All Along develops Jen’s character and relationships, it could provide an exciting opportunity to merge different storylines within the MCU. Fans of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. would be thrilled if the series’ portrayal of the Darkhold or the Ghost Riders were referenced in this new show.
Whether or not the events of S.H.I.E.L.D. are considered part of the main MCU timeline, including characters or elements from that show would resonate with fans across various segments of the Marvel community.
Jennifer’s Potential Future in the MCU
Even if Agatha All Along does not make direct connections to past series or characters, the future remains bright for Jennifer Kale. The MCU continues to expand, showing new characters and stories, making it a ripe environment for introducing Jen more fully into its fabric. Her journey as a witch and the potential for her magical abilities could lead to significant plot developments.
Moreover, the themes of family and legacy that surround Jennifer are rich areas for storytelling. Her connections to the Ghost Rider lineage and the Cult of Zhered-Na could be shown in future projects, potentially tying her into larger arcs within the MCU. As Marvel continues to build its universe, characters like Jennifer Kale become essential for connecting different parts of the narrative.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
With new episodes of Agatha All Along releasing weekly, fans will have the opportunity to see how Jennifer Kale evolves within this series. The character’s development could pave the way for her to appear in other Marvel projects, reinforcing the interconnected nature of the MCU.
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S., with new episodes premiering on Wednesday nights. As viewers continue to watch, they will surely be eager to see how Jennifer Kale’s story unfolds and what new surprises the MCU has in store for them.
Anyone who has watched the Blade movies knows the story of Wesley Snipes’ famous vampire hunter. Before Eric Brooks, the character’s real name, was born, his life took a drastic turn when the vampire Deacon Frost attacked his mother.
This attack passed on some of the traits of a vampire to Eric, without him inheriting the most significant vampire weakness – sensitivity to sunlight. Due to this unique trait, Blade was given the nickname “Daywalker” by vampires.
He dedicated his life to hunting and destroying vampires while also battling his inner urge to drink blood. This is a major update from Blade’s original character in Tomb of Dracula #10 created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan.
In that early version, Blade also survived Deacon Frost’s attack, but he remained fully human and was immune to being turned into a vampire by their bites.
However, after the release of the first Blade movie, his character evolved, and the change involved another well-known Marvel vampire: Michael Morbius, also known as Morbius the Living Vampire.
How Morbius Helped Blade Become a Daywalker
As the events unfold, it becomes clear that Blade is also hunting Hunger. Hunger had possession of a mysterious trunk, which soon attracted the attention of Wilson Fisk, also known as the Kingpin of Crime. Fisk’s criminal network had its eyes on this trunk for its secrets.
As Spider-Man and Blade joined forces to battle Fisk’s henchmen, Kingpin opened the mysterious trunk, revealing Morbius the Living Vampire inside. Morbius had been captured and was being transported to a secret location for further experimentation.
Spider-Man attempted to reason with Blade, arguing that Morbius wasn’t a full vampire and therefore shouldn’t be staked. Despite Spider-Man’s pleas, the situation escalated, and Morbius bit Blade during their confrontation.
Still from Blade (Credit: MCU)
At the time, Blade’s reaction to the bite wasn’t immediate or drastic, so its significance wasn’t clear right away. However, the impact of Morbius’ bite would eventually be revealed to have significant consequences for Blade’s powers and abilities.
The Effects of Morbius’ Bite on Blade’s Powers
The bite from Morbius had a lasting impact on Blade and made him far more dangerous to vampires. Due to the combination of Blade’s unique blood and Morbius’ altered genetics, Blade developed several new abilities that made him a formidable opponent.
These included superhuman strength, enhanced agility, and a healing factor that allowed him to recover quickly from injuries. Additionally, Blade gained the ability to sense supernatural creatures, which gave him an advantage when tracking and hunting vampires.
This combination of abilities made Blade not just a skilled vampire hunter, but also a being with the powers of a vampire, minus their weaknesses. He became a true Daywalker, able to operate during daylight hours without the vulnerabilities that traditional vampires suffer from.
Blade’s new powers put him on a level playing field with the very creatures he despised. This transformation allowed him to fight vampires on their own terms, without being hindered by their limitations.
Still from Blade (Credit: MCU)
This law required all superhumans to register their identities and follow government regulations. As a result, Morbius was legally authorized to arrest Blade, adding an interesting dynamic to their already complicated relationship.
Blade and Morbius Almost Fought on the Big Screen
While Blade and Morbius’ rivalry played out in the comics, the two characters almost faced off in the Blade films as well. Originally, there were plans for the two to clash on the big screen.
In fact, in a deleted scene from the first Blade movie, Morbius was supposed to make an appearance, hinting at a future confrontation between the two.
Director Stephen Norrington even portrayed Morbius in the scene, although he decided not to return for the second film, which was eventually directed by Guillermo del Toro. The plan to include Morbius was ultimately shelved, and the vampire didn’t appear in the Blade film series.
It wasn’t until 2022 that Morbius finally appeared in theaters, with Jared Leto taking on the role of the Living Vampire in the film Morbius.
Ironically, the comic storyline from Peter Parker: Spider-Man #7-8, in which Blade, Morbius, and Spider-Man all cross paths, became a source of inspiration for the Morbius film’s antagonist, Milo (played by Matt Smith). Milo’s transformation into a vampire closely resembled Hunger’s arc in the comic, and even Milo’s real name, Lucien, was suspiciously similar to Hunger’s real name, Loxias Crown.
Blade’s Transformation Into a Daywalker Shaped His Comic Legacy
The first Blade movie is often credited with launching a wave of successful comic book films. It proved that lesser-known characters could be just as interesting and engaging as mainstream heroes like Spider-Man or the X-Men.
The film’s success influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its approach to showing a wider variety of characters. This approach was later mirrored by DC Studios, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
But the Blade film’s impact didn’t stop at influencing the cinematic world. It also began a trend within the comics, where characters were adapted to align with their film counterparts. Before the movie, Blade was often depicted in the comics wearing a maroon coat, a bright green visor, and using wooden knives to fight vampires.
Still from Blade (Credit: MCU)
However, after the release of the film, Blade’s appearance was updated to match Wesley Snipes’ portrayal.
In Peter Parker: Spider-Man #7, Blade was shown wearing a long black trench coat, sunglasses, and wielding a katana – the look Snipes made iconic on the big screen. This transformation has continued to shape how Blade is portrayed in the comics to this day.
Blade’s transformation into the Daywalker was not only significant for his character development, but it also created a new level of depth. His hatred for vampires remained strong, but he could now battle them on equal footing because he had many of their abilities.
This change made Blade a more complex and compelling character. The fact that all of this happened due to a bite from a “living” vampire makes Blade’s story even more unique within the Marvel Universe.
